(SEPT 26) After more than six
years as a professional, one of the best young female flyweights
on the planet, Mexico´s Jessica Nery Plata, will finally get her
shot at a world championship on Saturday October 14, when she
challenges for the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) World
Flyweight title.
In the biggest fight of her life, Nery Plata, still only
twenty-three years old, will face reigning Argentinian Super
Flyweight Champion Maria Magdalena Rivera, on a show promoted by
Jose Vicente Sanchez Zaragoza and his KO Promotions in Ocotlan,
Mexico.
Nery Plata, 20-1 (3), was only seventeen when she made her paid
début in July of 2011, and seven months later she picked up a
minor title by dethroning former WBA world champion Ibeth Zamora
Silva. Zamora Silva later went on to capture the WBC World Light
Flyweight title, and make eight successful defences.
Fighting out of Mexico City, Nery Plata has retained the belt
she won from Zamora Silva seven times, and defeated several
world class opponents along the way. Only current WBC World
Champion Esmeralda Moreno, 30-7-1 at the time, managed to beat
her when they fought in August of 2015.
Maria Magdalena Rivera, 10-4-3 (3), turned pro in August of 2012
and got her first opportunity to win a world title almost
exactly three years later. On August 28, 2015 in East London,
South Africa, she came out on the short end of a split decision
against local favourite Sharadene Fortuin for the IBO
Bantamweight crown.
Since then the thirty-seven year old from Buenos Aires has been
on the prowl for another opportunity to become world champion.
And she has done her part, winning five straight fights and
picked up the South American title as well as the Argentinian
national title in the process.
Both boxers have paid their dues on the way, but only one of
them can come out on top as WBF World Flyweight Champion on
October 14. Will Nery Plata be too talented and fresh for
Rivera, or will the visitor be too seasoned and determined for
the local youngster? Only time will tell!